Abdominal support



v T. J. JLEE CRAS ABDOMINAL SUPPORT Filed Nov. 1, 1924 YZoma J: L e eras W Patented Feb. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATEg THOMAS J. LE CHAS, 01E TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA.

ABDOMINAL SUPPGRT.

Application filed November To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. Le CRAs, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of the city of Toronto, eounty of York, Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Abdominal Support, as described in the following specification and illustrated in the. accompanymg drawings, that form part of the same.

The principal objects of the invention are to effect relief of a prolapsed condition of: the abdominal muscles, and to devise a belt which may be readily adjusted to the body and will be very comfortable to wear.

The principal feature of the invention consists in the arrangement upon a body belt of a frame to engage and support the abdomen and a pad adjustably arranged in said frame to apply an inward and upward pressure to lift and support the abdominal organs.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front ele' vational view of my improved support shown as applied. I

Figure 2 is a front elevational view showing the pressure pad in a raised position.

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through the line 33 of Figure 1. a

Figure 4; is a vertical cross sectional view through the line l-lof F igure'2.

It has been found in the practice of orthopedics that many people suffer from a prolapsed condition of the muscles of the abdominal region, known as general ptosis and it is highly desirable that these weakened muscles be supported to relieve the strain of the organs sustained thereby and particularly it is desirable to relieve those muscles which support the stomach.

To accomplish this result I have devised a support in the form of a pad which will be supported against the abdomen by a belt, straps or band of a suitable design.

The belt 1 herein shown is provided with reinforcing ends 2 to which are secured the straps 8 provided with metal loop fasteir ers 4.

A metal frame 5 of substantially quadrangular form with curved sides and corners is provided with a padding 6 on the inner side and on the outer side are arranged the metal studs 7 over which the slotted fasteners 4c are secured.

A sheet of flexible textile fabric 8 is stretched across the inside of the padded 1, 1924. Serial No. 747,370.

frame 5 and rests against the body when the belt is placed in position.

A pad 9 of a shape corresponding to the internal contour of the frame 5 is secured to the top bar of the. frame by the hinge 10. This pad has a rigid outer plate 11 which is preferably covered with a smooth leather and secured to the plate centrally of its width and near the bottom edge is a spring bar 12 which is pivotally mounted on a screw 13.

The ends of the bar 12 are formed with the notches 14 in the opposite sides to slip over the headed pins 15 secured in the sides of the frame 5.

The pad 11 has secured to the inner side a pad 16 which it will be noted is of greater thickness at the bottom than at the top. This pad being supported upon the hinged plate can be allowed to swing outwardly and is preferably swung outwardly into position as shown in Figures 2 and 4:, while the belt is being adjusted upon the body.

The frame 5 with its silken fabric sheet 8 i properly adjusted to a comfortable position and when so arranged the pad 16 is then swung inwardly so that it presses inwardly and upwardly against the abdominal organs. The fabric sheet 8 provides a contact surface for the pad so that the adjustment of the persons garments will not be interfered with. i

The hinging of the pad 16 at the top of the rigid supporting frame renders this device extremely beneficial and by reason of its adjustability, it enables the wearer to obtain the very best conditions of use and furthermore, it enables the wearer to effect a temporary relief of the pressure at any time when desirable without the removal of the belt.

lnthe form herein shown the pad is per manently attached to the frame, but it must be understood that the pad may be separable from the frame and may be hinged or otherwise secured in position. Also it will be understood that the thickness or cross-sectional shape of the pad may be varied. to suit the requirements of the persons to whom the appliance is fitted.

What I claim as my invention is 1. An abdominal support, comprising a rigid padded frame of a substantially quadrangular form adapted to cover the main central region of the abdomen, a belt adapted to hold said fram to an a ju ted position on the body, a pad hinged to the top of said frame to swing inwardly and of a shape adapted to raise the viscera, and means for rigidly securing the pad in the inward posit-ion.

2. An abdominal support, comprising a rigid padded frame, a web of flexible fabric stretched across the inner side of said frame and'covering the opening therein, a belt supporting said frame, a pad hinged to the top of the frame and adapted to be swung inwardly through the opening of the frame and to project inwardly past the inner surface thereof and to engage said fabric web and means for rigidly securing said pad in the inward position.

0. An abdominal support, comprising a metal frame of quadrangular form, a pad ding secured to the inner face of the frame, a sheet of textile fabric covering the opening through the frame on the inner side, a hinge secured to the top side of the frame, a plate mounted on the hinge, a pad of substantially the same dimensions as the opening in said frame secured to said plate and adapted to project through the opening in the frame, a swivel bar pivotally mounted on said plate adjacent to the bottom, and means on the outer side of the frame adapted to engage said swivel bar in locking contact.

THOMAS J. LE ORAS. 

